Search form

You are here

Flap-based Reconstruction

LD Flap / DIEP Flap

Latissimus dorsi is a large, flat muscle in the back, which is moved to the site of the breast by swinging it around the ribcage so that it lies at the front of the body. This method does not usually provide enough tissue to form the entire breast, so an implant or expander will also probably be needed, placed behind the muscle to help match the size of the remaining natural breast.

Scars from this type of reconstruction are relatively inconspicuous. In addition to the breast scar, there is a scar on the back, which can be almost horizontal, to hide under a bra-strap, or almost vertical under and just behind the armpit, to hide under a low-back evening dress.

Latissimus Dorsi is a pedicled flap, meaning that the blood vessels supplying the 'flap' of muscle and overlying skin remain attached to the body and continue to supply the flap in the same way when it is moved to its new site. The tissue moved to create the breast is predominantly the muscle itself, but some skin can also be transferred to the new breast. This is particularly useful in immediate reconstruction, as a circle of skin, the same size as the mastectomy hole can also be moved, allowing the surgeon to close all wounds without stretching or distorting the remaining natural breast skin. It also results in only one circular scar on the breast, around the nipple.

After the operation, the blood vessels supplying the muscle run from the back of the armpit to the chest, along with a protective cuff of muscle. This results in a 'bulkier' area under the armpit on the reconstructed side. This will settle considerably during the first few months after the operation, as swelling subsides and the muscle cuff naturally thins, but will never disappear completely.

Latissimus Dorsi flap breast reconstruction offers good cosmetic results for women unable or unwilling to undergo abdominally-based breast reconstruction. It provides a reliable breast mound using tissue from the back, the absence of which is well tolerated in almost all women. Only women who are active swimmers, rock climbers or tennis players may have diffculty due to the back weakness.

DIEP flap (Abdominal Free Flap Procedure)

This is considered the “Gold Standard” breast reconstruction and there is no doubt that the feel, shape, movement, warmth and ability to age with thepersons other living tissues make the DIEP flap the best aesthetic breast reconstructive choice but only in the right patient who understand the magnitude of the procedure and the small but serious risks associated with it including the more prolonged operative and recovery time.

Free flap reconstruction involves the transfer of living tissue from one part of the body to another, along with the blood vessel that keeps it alive. Free flaps are entirely disconnected from their original blood supply and are reconnected using microsurgery in the recipient site. This procedure involves hooking up all the tiny blood vessels of the flap with those in the new site, and is carried out with use of a microscope, hence the name ‘microsurgery’.

The skin and fat of the lower abdomen is often the ideal tissue for breast reconstruction. A large amount of skin and volume can be replaced in order to achieve a very natural look and feel. Removal of excess skin and fat can often be a welcome bonus for the patient, resulting in a “tummy tuck”.

In some cases it is possible to take the blood vessels without taking any muscle (DIEP flap). The flap is transferred to the chest to replace the missing skin and volume. The blood vessels of the flap are joined microsurgically to blood vessels in the chest to restore the blood supply to the flap.

In DIEP free flap breast reconstruction, skin and fat is transferred from the abdomen to the breast area. During this process, the skin and fat is completely removed from the original area and reconnected in the recipient site. Blood vessels from the armpit, or near the breastbone, are used to create a new blood supply for the transferred tissue.

Whilst abdominal flap reconstruction can give excellent results it must be recognised that this is a major procedure. Patients spend up to a week in hospital and will undergo a recovery period lasting several weeks. There will be scars on the breast and a large scar across the abdomen as well as around the umbilicus. There may be some difficulty sitting up from lying down initially if the abdominal muscles are dissected, but in the long term most patients notice no real problems. All breast reconstruction is a process and many patients will need further procedures to adjust their reconstruction. These are usually minor procedures such as liposuction to reduce the size of the flap, scar revisions, lipofilling or nipple reconstruction. That said, autologous reconstruction is durable and once a satisfactory result is achieved it tends to be static and permanent.

This procedure is performed jointly by Mr Davies (mastectomy) and Mr Stuart James (DIEP flap reconstruction) based at 108 Harley Street Chambers and The Royal Marsden Hospital.

Suitable for:

Women who would like a more realistic reconstruction than is possible with an implant alone

Women who would like to avoid large abdominal scars or risk reducing abdominal strength

Women without enough abdominal fat to create a breast to match the remaining natural breast

Operation details

The operation is carried out in three stages. Firstly, the patient is placed on her back and the mastectomy performed. Any axillary surgery (sentinel node biopsy or axillary clearance) is performed at this time. The second stage involves turning the patient on her side and "harvesting" the LD muscle.

The pedicle (artery and vein to the flap) is identified in the armpit to avoid any inadvertent damage, and the muscle with its overlying piece of skin is lifted from the back, tunnelled through the armpit and swung round the ribcage to lie under the breast.

The third stage is then to turn the patient onto her back and the skin of the flap is trimmed to match the hole left by the mastectomy, Finally the breast is compared to the unoperated side and the muscle is sutured to create the contour of the breast mound. If necessary, an implant is inserted. Drains are inserted in both the breast and the back wounds which are then closed, generally with dissolving sutures.

Complications you should be aware of:

Infection (5%) - this ranges from a superficial wound infection, easily treated with antibiotics, to an infection of the implant if one is used. Implant infections are especially troublesome as, generally, the implant must be removed to fully treat the infection, and re-inserted at a later date.

Bleeding (5%) - Although any bleeding points are cauterised during the procedure, it is possible that you may develop a collection of blood under the skin. Very occasionally, this can become infected or need to be let out by returning to theatre and re-opening the wound.

Seroma - this is a very common complication. If fluid continues to be produced after the drains are removed, it will collect under the skin and may become uncomfortable, but it can be easily and painlessly removed by sliding a needle through the scar on your back taking the fluid off with a syringe.

Flap failure (below 1%) - this is a very rare complication.

Revision Surgery - After the muscle is moved from the back to the front, it changes size over the first 3 months. Further small procedures may be required to improve the final outcome of your reconstruction.

Recurrence - Having a reconstruction would not stop a recurrence of the cancer in the skin that is left, if it were to occur.

The Breast Clinic is a breast surgery specialist and Mr Giles Davies is a specialist breast cancer surgeon and Oncoplastic breast surgeon who can offer a range of Breast surgery treatments and breast reconstruction.